Phyllite outcrops above the Potomac river. Pattern of outcrop and hollow heads repeated across the slope with small creeks forming a larger cove to the east. Below plot drops steeply to RR tracks and floodplain. Above plot is slope shoulder with Dryopteris dropping out and weeds coming in.;North slope with dry mesic oak forest with Dryopteris marginalis conspicuous in the understory. Plot includes some overhangs which might serve as pack rat habitat (no sign) - rocks in largest stacked by humans. Dense organic duff layer may impede weed invasion in this community.
Representativeness
Plot includes bedrock outcrops and adjacent concave steep hollow head. Plot was sampled to round out data collected by Garrie Rouse in 1999, mostly from Virginia.
Weeds (Lonicera japonica, Alliaria petiolata) encroaching from top and bottom of stand. Deer/casual human trails uphill of plot on slope shoulder. (exotic plants, erosion, trails/roads, grazing/browsing)